a study on geographical distribution and diversity of lymnaeidae snails in west azerbaijan province, iran

many species of the freshwater pulmonate snail family lymnaeidae act as intermediate hosts in the transmission of digenean trematode larvae, including those of the causative agent of fasciolosis. based on this, current investigation was aimed to determine diversity and geographical distribution of lymnaeidae snails and role of biochemical indices in habitat of them in west azerbaijan province, iran. simple sampling method was undertaken in north, center and south parts of the province in plain (35 sites) and mountainous (10 sites) regions of spring and fall. a total number of 3741 dextral lymnaea spp. were collected and identified. the highest percentage belonged to the l. gedrosiana (71.02%), followed by l. stagnalis (14.89%), l. truncatula (7.97%), l. auricularia (5.64%) and l. palostris (0.48%). geographical distribution of lymnaeidae snails were recorded in 22 sites of plain and 6 sites of mountainous regions. biochemical findings indicated that lymnaeidae snails survived between 15-34 °c in both regions. from acidic to relatively alkalis ph, existence of l. auricularia, l. truncatula and l. palustris were recorded. while l. gedrosiana and l. stagnalis were found in alkalis conditions. electronic conductivity and salinity of different habitats for lymnaeidae snails were measured as 312-368 µs and 0.146-1.885 g/l, respectively. it is concluded that further studies are necessary to determine frequency of lymnaeidae snails’ infection due to fasciola spp. and role of them as intermediate hosts of digenean trematodes in north west of iran.